11

: : Lessons Learned from a Lessons Learned from a Farm Apprenticeship Farm Apprenticeship ProgramProgram

Laura ChristensenLaura Christensen

Growing Growers ManagerGrowing Growers Manager

growers@ksu.edugrowers@ksu.edu

(816) 805-0362(816) 805-0362

22

Farm ApprenticeshipsFarm Apprenticeships

Provide aspiring farmers with hands-on Provide aspiring farmers with hands-on training and on-farm experience.training and on-farm experience.

Provide farmers with dedicated workers Provide farmers with dedicated workers who want to learn.who want to learn.

Help farming knowledge pass into new Help farming knowledge pass into new hands and the next generation.hands and the next generation.

33

““I learned that you can't really appreciate a green I learned that you can't really appreciate a green bean until you've spent hours picking them in the bean until you've spent hours picking them in the rain.”rain.”

““I never would have become I never would have become

a farmer if I hadn’t a farmer if I hadn’t apprenticed.”apprenticed.”

““I do believe I learned moreI do believe I learned morein a year than I did in 4 yearsin a year than I did in 4 yearsof college.”of college.”

““I’m so over this whole farming thing.”I’m so over this whole farming thing.”

44

On farm learningOn farm learning

A search of “farming” on amazon.com A search of “farming” on amazon.com books yielded 33,053 results.books yielded 33,053 results.

Written resources are great, but can’t Written resources are great, but can’t replace hands-on learning and farm replace hands-on learning and farm experience.experience.

Many people who would like to farm Many people who would like to farm don’t have a family background in don’t have a family background in agriculture.agriculture.

55

Laborer vs. ApprenticeLaborer vs. Apprentice

““I think the best reason to gain farming I think the best reason to gain farming experience through an apprenticeship is experience through an apprenticeship is so you don’t just end up washing buckets so you don’t just end up washing buckets all day, everyday”.all day, everyday”.

- - Stephanie Thomas, Stephanie Thomas, Spring Creek Farm.Spring Creek Farm.

66

Apprenticeships = LearningApprenticeships = Learning

Farmers must be willing and able to teach Farmers must be willing and able to teach apprentices.apprentices.

This means talking with them, working with This means talking with them, working with them and having a clear idea of the how, what them and having a clear idea of the how, what and why of the tasks you ask them to do.and why of the tasks you ask them to do.

Apprentices should be exposed to a variety of Apprentices should be exposed to a variety of chores chores (not just washing buckets).(not just washing buckets).

Setting aside time specifically for questions Setting aside time specifically for questions and learning, outside of work time, is and learning, outside of work time, is important.important.

77

The value of learningThe value of learning

Apprentices often work for wages substantially Apprentices often work for wages substantially lower than other jobs (just like farmers!). lower than other jobs (just like farmers!). Some volunteer. This is partially because the Some volunteer. This is partially because the host farm is providing them a service – host farm is providing them a service – teaching them. teaching them.

The host farms who report long term success The host farms who report long term success with apprentices are the ones that pay with apprentices are the ones that pay attention to what and how they are teaching attention to what and how they are teaching their apprentices.their apprentices.

88

Why go to all this trouble?Why go to all this trouble?Hosting an apprentice has benefits for a farm.Hosting an apprentice has benefits for a farm.

- CompanyCompany- Teaching something clarifies your own Teaching something clarifies your own

thoughts about it.thoughts about it.- Helps you streamline your systems.Helps you streamline your systems.- Attracts motivated, interested workers.Attracts motivated, interested workers.- Trained employees are better employees.Trained employees are better employees.- Apprentices bring new ideas and energy.Apprentices bring new ideas and energy.- Helps new farmers and farms get started.Helps new farmers and farms get started.

99

Should you consider hosting Should you consider hosting an apprentice?an apprentice?

Have you been farming for at least 2 years?Have you been farming for at least 2 years? Do you need additional labor on your farm?Do you need additional labor on your farm? Do you have systems in place on your farm?Do you have systems in place on your farm? Have you ever taught or mentored someone?Have you ever taught or mentored someone? Do you have the time and patience to work Do you have the time and patience to work

with your apprentice?with your apprentice? Are you willing to share information about your Are you willing to share information about your

farm?farm? Are you considering transitioning farm Are you considering transitioning farm

ownership or management?ownership or management?

1100

About Growing GrowersAbout Growing Growers

Co-founded in 2004 by K-State Research and Co-founded in 2004 by K-State Research and Extension, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas Rural Center and Extension, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas Rural Center and Kansas City Food Circle.Kansas City Food Circle.

Provides farm training and networking through Provides farm training and networking through workshops, an email listserv, events and an workshops, an email listserv, events and an apprenticeship program.apprenticeship program.

Has helped place over 120 apprentices on different Has helped place over 120 apprentices on different host farms in the Kansas City area.host farms in the Kansas City area.

Offers 7 to 10 workshops and farm tours annually.Offers 7 to 10 workshops and farm tours annually. Focuses on sustainable farms in the Kansas City and Focuses on sustainable farms in the Kansas City and

Lawrence areas.Lawrence areas. Primarily deals with diversified vegetable farms, but Primarily deals with diversified vegetable farms, but

has some livestock host farms too.has some livestock host farms too.

1111

The apprenticeship programThe apprenticeship program

Multiple different host farmsMultiple different host farms Each host farm interviews and hires/selects Each host farm interviews and hires/selects

apprentices individually. Host farms determine their apprentices individually. Host farms determine their own apprentice pay, hours and responsibilities.own apprentice pay, hours and responsibilities.

GG provides monthly workshops and farm tours to GG provides monthly workshops and farm tours to help apprentices learn. Apprentices also receive books help apprentices learn. Apprentices also receive books and written resources.and written resources.

GG pays host farmers to provide a minimum of 8 hours GG pays host farmers to provide a minimum of 8 hours additional “sit down” training to their apprentices, and additional “sit down” training to their apprentices, and suggests specific topics.suggests specific topics.

Apprentices pay GG a tuition fee that includes Apprentices pay GG a tuition fee that includes attendance at all workshops, host farmer training and attendance at all workshops, host farmer training and books.books.

1122

Growing Growers began with a Growing Growers began with a conversation between two conversation between two farmers’ market vendors about farmers’ market vendors about what skills it took to farm.what skills it took to farm.

They started to write down a list. They started to write down a list. After two pages were full and they After two pages were full and they were no where near finished, they were no where near finished, they decided there should be a way to decided there should be a way to help teach these topics.help teach these topics.

1133

““Core Curriculum”Core Curriculum”(This is based on vegetable farming, but is (This is based on vegetable farming, but is adaptable to other farms too)adaptable to other farms too) Soil and Nutrient Soil and Nutrient

ManagementManagement PlantsPlants Production PlanningProduction Planning Pests, Disease, Wildlife Pests, Disease, Wildlife

ControlControl Weed ControlWeed Control WeatherWeather Livestock knowledgeLivestock knowledge

HarvestingHarvesting Post-harvest HandlingPost-harvest Handling EquipmentEquipment Workflow and Record-Workflow and Record-

keepingkeeping Land and Farm Land and Farm

design/infrastructuredesign/infrastructure MarketingMarketing Business ManagementBusiness Management Food – cooking, flavors, Food – cooking, flavors,

valuesvalues

1144

How to cover all that?How to cover all that?

GG picked a few key topics that could be GG picked a few key topics that could be best addressed by workshops, then best addressed by workshops, then made plans for how other topics could be made plans for how other topics could be addressed.addressed.

Host farmer training, farm tours, Host farmer training, farm tours, independent apprentice research, on-independent apprentice research, on-the-job training, etc.the-job training, etc.

1155

On your farm On your farm

List important skills and knowledge List important skills and knowledge Make a plan to address them:Make a plan to address them: - “sit down” training- “sit down” training - on the job training- on the job training - visits to other farms- visits to other farms - use outside resources (books, web - use outside resources (books, web

resources, workshops, etc.)resources, workshops, etc.) - apprentice is responsible for - apprentice is responsible for

researchingresearching - can’t be addressed this season - can’t be addressed this season (you (you

can’t learn it all in one year!)can’t learn it all in one year!)

1166

Example: Soil ManagementExample: Soil Management

On the job training – make a point of talking about On the job training – make a point of talking about what the soil looks and feels like when you are in the what the soil looks and feels like when you are in the field with the apprentice. If there is a problem related field with the apprentice. If there is a problem related to the soil, point it out. to the soil, point it out.

Ask apprentice to evaluate soil occasionally – could it Ask apprentice to evaluate soil occasionally – could it be tilled?be tilled?

Sit down with your apprentice for 45 minutes and Sit down with your apprentice for 45 minutes and explain your soil test results, what soil amendments explain your soil test results, what soil amendments you use and why.you use and why.

Share your sources for soil amendments – could Share your sources for soil amendments – could apprentices research other/cheaper options?apprentices research other/cheaper options?

1177

Example: Record KeepingExample: Record Keeping

Be willing to share some of your records.Be willing to share some of your records. Sit down for 45 minutes and explain what Sit down for 45 minutes and explain what

records you keep and why.records you keep and why. On vegetable farms, harvest records are On vegetable farms, harvest records are

something apprentices frequently contribute to.something apprentices frequently contribute to. Being able to see records from a full season Being able to see records from a full season

helps apprentices understand how the farm helps apprentices understand how the farm changes over the season.changes over the season.

1188

Make time for “sit down” Make time for “sit down” trainingtraining

The truth is, none of us will find time to sit down and The truth is, none of us will find time to sit down and provide training during the season unless we plan for it provide training during the season unless we plan for it in advance.in advance.

- A long lunch once a week or half a day once a month.A long lunch once a week or half a day once a month.- ““Field trips” to other farmsField trips” to other farms- Be prepared with information about your farm.Be prepared with information about your farm.- Reference apprentices to other resources – extension, Reference apprentices to other resources – extension,

books, other farmers.books, other farmers.- This type of training doesn’t need to be paid time for This type of training doesn’t need to be paid time for

your apprentice. You are providing them a service.your apprentice. You are providing them a service.

1199

On the Job TrainingOn the Job Training

Apprentices are often looking for a personal Apprentices are often looking for a personal relationship with a mentor.relationship with a mentor.

Expect to work with them in the field some; this Expect to work with them in the field some; this provides an opportunity to correct errors, and for them provides an opportunity to correct errors, and for them to learn from how you work.to learn from how you work.

You don’t always have to teach. Sometimes it is okay You don’t always have to teach. Sometimes it is okay to say “we’ll talk about it later, we have to work now”.to say “we’ll talk about it later, we have to work now”.

A sense of humor and a bit of kindness go a long way.A sense of humor and a bit of kindness go a long way. When they work alone, make sure they have clear When they work alone, make sure they have clear

directions.directions. Sometimes having multiple apprentices helps.Sometimes having multiple apprentices helps.

2200

SafetySafety

Don’t take an apprentices word that they know Don’t take an apprentices word that they know how to use a piece of equipment or how to how to use a piece of equipment or how to apply a pesticide, etc. Show them, and make apply a pesticide, etc. Show them, and make sure they understand.sure they understand.

Farm liability insurance is a good idea.Farm liability insurance is a good idea. It’s okay to not have apprentices involved in It’s okay to not have apprentices involved in

dangerous or important tasks. They are dangerous or important tasks. They are seasonal employees who may not have seasonal employees who may not have experience. It’s okay to treat them as such.experience. It’s okay to treat them as such.

2211

Clear CommunicationClear Communication

The biggest thing GG host farmers and The biggest thing GG host farmers and apprentices struggle with is clear apprentices struggle with is clear communication.communication.

Make sure you and your apprentice both Make sure you and your apprentice both understand the work hours, responsibilities understand the work hours, responsibilities and conditions on the farm. and conditions on the farm. Put it in writingPut it in writing!!

Scheduling training ahead of time lets Scheduling training ahead of time lets apprentices know what to expect.apprentices know what to expect.

Be up front about pay.Be up front about pay.

2222

FAQsFAQs Q: Are they there to Q: Are they there to learnlearn or or workwork?? A: Both. Apprentices need to be A: Both. Apprentices need to be

dependable, reliable farm employees dependable, reliable farm employees that gain experience through labor. that gain experience through labor.

2233

Q: Do I need to pay an Q: Do I need to pay an apprentice?apprentice?

A:A: Yes.Yes. If you want a good employee, you If you want a good employee, you need to respect their time and labor and need to respect their time and labor and compensate them for it.compensate them for it.

However, different farms handle this However, different farms handle this differently. Some pay hourly wages; some pay differently. Some pay hourly wages; some pay a stipend; some are able to provide room and a stipend; some are able to provide room and board. Some farmers pay their apprentices board. Some farmers pay their apprentices only with education. only with education.

Keep in mind that you get what you pay Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.for.

2244

Q: How do I find an Q: How do I find an apprentice?apprentice?

Several clearing houses of apprenticeship Several clearing houses of apprenticeship opportunities exist online.opportunities exist online.

Inquire if there is an umbrella group like GG in Inquire if there is an umbrella group like GG in your area.your area.

Contact area schoolsContact area schools Word of mouthWord of mouth AdvertisementAdvertisement Email listsEmail lists Extension officesExtension offices

2255

Q: What if my apprentice Q: What if my apprentice doesn’t work well?doesn’t work well?

Like any employee, talk with them first, clearly Like any employee, talk with them first, clearly communicate the problem and how it can be communicate the problem and how it can be fixed. fixed.

If that doesn’t work, yes, you can fire If that doesn’t work, yes, you can fire apprentices.apprentices.

Working interviews or “tryouts” may help Working interviews or “tryouts” may help prevent this.prevent this.

Remember, no employee will ever work as well Remember, no employee will ever work as well or as fast as you. Have realistic expectations.or as fast as you. Have realistic expectations.

2266

Q: What are apprentices Q: What are apprentices like?like?

All sorts of ways! Many apprentices are All sorts of ways! Many apprentices are in their twenties and just starting to in their twenties and just starting to explore farming.explore farming.

However, they come in all ages, sizes However, they come in all ages, sizes and experience levels!and experience levels!

2277

Q: How do I select an Q: How do I select an apprentice?apprentice?

Just because someone wants to Just because someone wants to apprentice with you doesn’t mean they apprentice with you doesn’t mean they should.should.

Interview them, share your expectations Interview them, share your expectations for the season, call their references. for the season, call their references. Don’t be afraid to say “no”. Don’t be afraid to say “no”.

Working interviews or “tryout” periods are Working interviews or “tryout” periods are used by many farms.used by many farms.

2288

Q: How do I get apprentices to Q: How do I get apprentices to stay for the full season?stay for the full season?

Clearly communicate hours, start and likely Clearly communicate hours, start and likely end dates.end dates.

Some farms offer bonuses upon completion of Some farms offer bonuses upon completion of the season.the season.

Warn apprentices up front of stressful tasks or Warn apprentices up front of stressful tasks or times over the course of the season.times over the course of the season.

Only hire apprentices with good references.Only hire apprentices with good references.

2299

Q: Do I need to pay SS, Medicare, Q: Do I need to pay SS, Medicare, and withhold income tax for and withhold income tax for apprentice labor?apprentice labor?

If they are paid employees, yes. If they are paid employees, yes. Talk to your accountant.Talk to your accountant.

3300

Q: Do I need to provide Q: Do I need to provide housing?housing?

A: Rural farms may have difficulty A: Rural farms may have difficulty attracting apprentices unless housing is attracting apprentices unless housing is available. available.

That being said, no, it is not required.That being said, no, it is not required. Housing needs to be safe.Housing needs to be safe. Sharing living space with an apprentice Sharing living space with an apprentice

can add additional stress and can add additional stress and complications.complications.

3311

Questions?Questions?